KARACHI: Pakistan Population Summit 2025, a dialogue on the country’s high population rate, will be held in Islamabad from December 1 to 2.
Data compiled by research organization Population Council, UK Aid and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) shows that the average annual growth rate in Pakistan, based on data from 2017 to 2023, is 2.55 percent, resulting in a population of 241.5 million, making it the fifth most populous country in the world.
The country is on track to surpass 300 million in the next five years and approach 400 million by 2050.
According to a press release from DawnMedia, the two-day event will take place at the Serena Hotel.
The event will take stock of the situation in Pakistan as it faces the challenges of increasing population growth outstripping available resources.
“Urgent and serious measures are required to close the growing gap between population growth and sustainable resource management. Recognizing the crucial implications of a high population growth rate on Pakistan’s economy, social infrastructure, education, health, food and water security and employment is critical,” he said.
The summit aims to bring together politicians, economists, development specialists and private sector leaders to establish a practical path to long-term growth.
Prominent speakers expected to address the event include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, among others.
The summit is organized by DawnMedia in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives; the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination; Sindh Government, KP Government, UK International Development and World Bank Group as lead partners.
It is supported by Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, while Population Council and FCDO act as strategic partners, while Pathfinder International, Population Services International, QZ Catalyst and UNFPA contribute as knowledge partners. Ipsos and Repu Media-Acumen Media Intelligence also support the initiative as research partners.
Published in Dawn, November 30, 2025
